Dynamo Reserves defeat FC Dallas Reserves 2-1

The Houston Dynamo Reserves defeated the FC Dallas Reserves 2-1, Tuesday morning, at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. Warren Creavalle and Jason Johnson scored the goals for Houston as the Dynamo improved their record to 2-0-0 in their 2013 Reserve League campaign.

FC Dallas controlled the tempo of the match early and nearly got on the board in the fifth minute. Colombian striker Fabian Castillo beat a Dynamo defender to the touch line and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Erich Marscheider. The young Dynamo goalkeeper, however, stayed tall and used his body to prevent two shot attempts and keep the visitors off the board.

After a few near misses in front of goal, the Dynamo broke through in the 33rd minute. Veteran forward Brian Ching earned a foul in FC Dallas’ half of the field and played a quick free kick to the left flank. The ball worked around to left back Mike Chabala who found the end line and fed Johnson at the six-yard box. Johnson spun and saw his first shot attempt blocked by goalkeeper Chris Seitz, but Creavalle was there to clean up the rebound and give the home side the 1-0 lead.

The visitors were able to level the match before halftime from a Fabian Castillo penalty kick. The penalty originated after current FC Dallas and former Dynamo midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson sprinted down the left wing and played a cross into the Houston 18-yard box. Although the ball was cleared away, Creavalle came sliding in late with a tackle and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Castillo laced his attempt down the middle to level the match.

After two saves in the first half, Marscheider was called into action again in the 51st minute. FC Dallas Academy defender Kris Reaves sprinted down the right flank and played in a cross toward the Dynamo six-yard box. Marscheider knocked down the cross and scrambled to his feet to stop the point-blank shot from Victor Ulloa. The rebound fell on the foot of homegrown striker Bradlee Baladez but the 21-year-old forward could not keep his attempt on frame.

Houston found their winner in the final minutes of the match. After Johnson was played into the penalty box, FC Dallas Academy defender Christian de Luna found himself on the wrong side of the Jamaican striker and was whistled for a foul. Johnson completed the play, striking the ball to the right side of Dallas goalkeeper Richard Sanchez to give the Dynamo a 2-1 lead.

FC Dallas nearly equalized in the 89th minute when second-half sub Bobby Edet was played over the top of the Dynamo defense. Marscheider came out to intercept the play, but the ball deflected off Edet and rolled toward the Dynamo net. A Dynamo defender alertly sprinted back to clear the ball away before it crossed the line.

The Dynamo Reserves are next in action on Sunday, May 19 when they host USL Pro side Charleston Battery at the Houston Amateur Sports Park. FC Dallas will resume Reserve League action when they travel to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire Reserves on Wednesday, May 1.